Watch This: Obamas at Black Museum Groundbreaking

President Obama speaks at the museum groundbreaking. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

At today's groundbreaking ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, speakers included President Obama, the museum's director, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and former first lady Laura Bush. In comments about the impact he hopes the museum will have, President Obama said, "At moments like this, I think about my daughters ... When our children look at Harriet Tubman's shawl or Nat Turner’s Bible ... I don't want them to be seen as figures somehow larger them life; I want them to see how ordinary Americans can do extraordinary things."

He also pointed out that a new national black history museum will help future generations remember the sometimes difficult, often inspirational role that African Americans have played in the nation's history.